45 Books on Reese Witherspoon's Must-Read List

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The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

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Every month Reese Witherspoon chooses a book pick as part of Reese’s Book Club x Hello Sunshine, which focuses on celebrating women’s stories. This month, you can get your rom-com fix with Reese's recent selection. "So excited to share my February pick for @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine: #TheProposal by @jasminepics," Witherspoon wrote. "It starts with a proposal in front of 45,000 people at Dodger Stadium 😂⚾️💍 But it’s not exactly #loveandbaseball for Nikole (who says no!!!), and as she’s chased out of the stadium by live camera crews, she’s saved by a couple... of siblings... find out what happens next! 😍"

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The Library Book by Susan Orlean

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Reese’s first pick of 2019 comes from author Susan Orlean. “This book is a love letter to libraries, and made me nostalgic for the long hours I used to spend there when I was a kid,” Witherspoon wrote. “The story follows the investigation of the huge fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986, and the mystery, history and people that surround it. It’s a captivating story and I can’t wait for y’all to read it with me at @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine!”

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One Day in December: A Novel by Josie Silver

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Calling all hopeless romantics, Reese has the book for you! “If you like rom-coms, you will love my December book pick: #OneDayInDecember by @josiesilverauthor!” Witherspoon shared. “Get ready to be swept up in a whirlwind romance: Laurie falls in love at first sight with a stranger and spends the next year looking for him. Fate brings them back together at Christmas, but not in the way anybody expects: turns out he’s dating her best friend! It absolutely charmed me, and I can’t wait to share it with y’all over at @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine!”

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The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

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Clear your schedule because you won’t be able to put this one down, according to Reese. “Ok y'all, it's spooky season and my November @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine book pick - #TheOtherWoman by @sandiejones_author - has one of most twisted and entertaining plots,” Witherspoon wrote. “When Emily meets Adam, she thinks she’s found the one—but it’s not long before another woman tries ruin their relationship. And folks… that woman is HIS MOTHER. I can’t wait for y’all to read it because I NEED to discuss that ending with you!”

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This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

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You may need a big box of tissues for this moving read. “Every once in a while, I read a book that opens my eyes in a way I never expected,” Witherspoon shared. “This is why I’m so excited to share my October pick for @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine: #ThisIsHowItAlwaysIs by @laurie.frankel. It’s a book about family: childhood, parenthood, and the sometimes-heartbreaking decisions that come with it. As a mother, this story absolutely tore at my heartstrings. I can’t wait for you to read it!”

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Reese Witherspoon/Instagram

Get ready to take a trip down south with this selection. “I can’t even express how much I love this book,” Witherspoon wrote. “My September pick for @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine is #WhereTheCrawdadsSing by @authordeliaowens. It’s about a young woman named Kya, who’s left to raise herself in the marshes of North Carolina when her family abandons her at a young age. There is so much to her story: romance, mystery, and a murder... and it takes place in the breathtaking backdrop of the South. I didn’t want this story to end.”

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Still Lives: A Novel by Maria Hummel

Reese Witherspoon/Instagram

This thriller packs plenty of plot twists, so be prepared! “I’ve got a page-turner for y’all! My August book pick is #StillLives by @mariahummel5656. It’s the ultimate mystery set in LA. An artist goes missing at the height of her controversial career, and the plot keeps you guessing who’s responsible. Was it a stunt or is she in danger ? You won’t know who to trust, and that ending… I won’t say any more—you’ll have to read it... or for my #HelloSunshineOnAudiblefolks, listen to it for yourself. I can’t wait for you to experience it so we can discuss all the crazy twists and turns at @reesesbookclubxhellosunshine!”

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Next Year in Havanaby Chanel Cleeton

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"Forbidden love. Courage. Family secrets. @reesewitherspoon’s July book pick, #NextYearInHavana by @chanelcleeton, is one that’s filled with passion, mystery and romance—and we can’t wait for you to get your hands on this incredible story!" Witherspoon wrote. "When Marisol, a Cuban-American woman, returns to Havana to scatter her grandmother’s ashes, she starts to discover a side of her history that’s as complicated as it is beautiful… and in the process, she finds love where she shouldn’t. It’s an absolutely beautiful story that you’ll wish could go on and on, whether you’re turning pages or listening on @audible_com. We can’t wait to hear what you think!"

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Something In The Water by Catherine Steadman

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"We’ve got the perfect beach read for you! @reesewitherspoon’s June book pick is #SomethingInTheWater by @catsteadman," the actress wrote. "It starts with a beautiful honeymoon that turns into a web of intrigue. When Erin and Mark find something in the water in Bora Bora and try to pull off what they think is the perfect crime, each choice they make has unforeseen consequences. You won’t want to put this story down…"

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You Think It, I'll Say It: Storiesby Curtis Sittenfield

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"Who doesn’t love book announcement days? @reesewitherspoon’s May book pick is #YouThinkItIllSayIt by Curtis Sittenfeld, and get excited," the star wrote. "This collection of short stories is the inspiration behind a TV series we’re developing at @hellosunshine, and we can’t wait for you to read it! Every single character in this book is complex, beautifully flawed and so multi-faceted—and all so interesting to unpack. You won’t want these short stories to end!"

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In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero

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"In the latest episode of #HowItIs by @hellosunshine, host @dianeguerrero_talks about the power of women’s voices, and how that’s empowered her to tell her own story in her book, #InTheCountryWeLove," Witherspoon wrote.

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Happiness: A Memoir: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After by Heather Harpham

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"You’ve been waiting for it…@reesewitherspoon’s April Book Pick for@hellosunshine is: #Happiness by Heather Harpham!" the star wrote. "The memoir follows Heather’s journey as she gives birth to her daughter, Gracie, who is born with rare complications that leave her fighting for her life. In this battle alone, Heather relies on the kindness of the people around her: friends, family, and even strangers. She ends up reconnecting with Gracie’s father, and the way he comes back into their lives will leave you so emotional. The book is equal parts heart-wrenching and joyful, and you won’t be able to stop turning these pages!"

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

Witherspoon shared a laugh with fellow actress Tiffany Haddish. "This magical unicorn made my day! I want to hang out with@tiffanyhaddish every Friday," Witherspoon wrote. "Haven’t laughed that hard in a year! Check out my story because #sheready."

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Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

"#EroticStoriesForPunjabiWidows has something for everyone: romance, a murder mystery and family drama," Witherspoon wrote. "The story follows Nikki, a young British-Punjabi woman who’s struggling to find her place in the world. When she starts teaching a writing class to older women in a community she once distanced herself from, she finds herself in the most unexpected of scandals. Get ready, book club—there are so many thrilling twists and turns, and you won’t be able to get enough of these characters."

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The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

"Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the February@reesesbookclubxhellosunshine pick is here!" the actress wrote. "#TheLightWeLost by @jillsantopolois a page-turning love story that spans decades and continents as two lovers try to return to each other. This book kept me up all night, turning the pages to find out. Can’t tell you the ending but definitely have tissues close by!! I loved it!"

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Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Witherspoon loved Celeste Ng's novel so much that she teamed up with Kerry Washington to create a limited-series adaption for Hulu. The actresses will both appear in the show, according to deadline.com. Read up in the meantime!

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Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Reese Witherspoon/Instagram

“January is the perfect time to reflect and #BravingTheWilderness by@BreneBrown is the perfect book for this,” said Witherspoon on Instagram. “It really made me stop and think about the important things in life: i.e. having the courage to be confident in your decisions, the importance of connecting with others, as well as being thoughtful and open to having conversations with those who may have different opinions than you.”

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The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

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"It’s a psychological thriller about a woman who conceives a plan to manipulate her way into the life of a married couple," Witherspoon said of Constantine's debut novel. "Filled with envy, deception, and power, it’s a great reading escape. And there is a thrilling twist at the end!!"

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This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett

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Patchett's collection of essays "explores what it means to have friends, fall in love, struggle and succeed," the actress said on Instagram. "Reading this book is like talking to one of your best friends."

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The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey

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"Sunday morning reading the best book," Witherspoon said of this collection of "aha" moments from Winfrey's Super Soul Sunday series conversations with visionaries including Cheryl Strayed, Gary Zukav and Brené Brown.

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The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

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Hoffman's latest work, a prequel to her 1995 novel Practical Magic, truly enchanted Witherspoon. "It’s about two sisters and a brother who discover they come from a magical family that’s been cursed – whoever they fall in love with will die," the star said of the tale, which is "full of magic, love, family, heartbreak and redemption."

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Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

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Witherspoon was "moved to tears" by this psychological mystery about two Ohio families. "Celeste Ng writes with stunning accuracy about the power of motherhood, the intensity of teenage love, and the danger of perfection," she said on Instagram. "And a fire that destroys it all."

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The Lying Game by Ruth Ware

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"Can you imagine something you did as a teenager coming back to haunt you 17 years later? That's the journey #TheLyingGame takes you on," Witherspoon said of Ware's suspense novel about four high school friends, now grown, who share a secret and are reunited by a mysterious text. "Will someone find out the truth? Will one of the women break the pact? So many questions... Until the very last page!"

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Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

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If you liked Witherspoon's HBO seriesBig Little Lies (and the book upon which it was based), you'll love Moriarty's novel. "It's a great summer book about 6 adults, 3 cute kids & BBQ that goes wrong," said the star. "A real page turner!"

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The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

"I think you’ll really enjoy this exciting and fast-paced story about a pregnant American socialite who teams up with a female ex-spy and a hot-tempered young soldier in the aftermath of WWII," Witherspoon said of Quinn's novel.

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

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Socially awkward Eleanor lives an extremely lonely life until she and her office IT guy Raymond save an elderly man after he falls on the sidewalk. The three become friends and ultimately rescue each other, with Raymond bringing Eleanor out of the shell that protected her from a tragic past. "#FunFact: At 40 years old, Gail Honeyman’s debut novel #EleanorOliphant was discovered through a writing competition, altering the trajectory of her life," Witherspoon has said of the book, which she is turning into a feature film.

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The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

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Travel writer Lo Blalock is on assignment aboard a luxury cruise and all seems perfect until she witnesses the woman in the next cabin being thrown overboard. Or did she? According to the ship's records, no passenger is traveling in that cabin! "#TheWomanInCabin10 is an edge of your seat thriller set on the most beautiful yacht in the world," Witherspoon said on Instagram. "Full of great characters and twists, y'all should check it out!"

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Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Reese Witherspoon/Instagram

Witherspoon's "weekend reading" is now an HBO series starring the actress herself. Moriarty's book chronicles the lives of three women who have kids at the same preschool. As secrets are revealed, they realize that their lives are even more connected than they think.